To carry out a successful custom software development process, collaboration between developer and the client is required due to the fact that custom software has narrowly defined set of requirements with a highly organized and customer-specific process. Custom software also known as bespoke software or tailor-made software is any software that is specially developed for a specific set of users, functions or organizations given it the unique requirements needs.
Although, a custom software project would move through the same steps of requirements gathering, coding, testing and deployment as well as applying the same methodologies, like Agile, DevOps or Rapid Application Development, as any other software project – a developer must understand that there is a huge difference between a custom made software and a commercial off-the-shelf software as well as the need for a detailed approach if achieving a successful custom software development process is the goal.
Listed below are some of the best practices and tips that can help achieve a successful custom software development process:
10 Tips for Successful Custom Software Development
- Collaboration is key
For every successful software project, collaborators including sponsors, users, developers, even customers and business partners outside of the organization are very important in achieving a value oriental outcome. This also applies to every custom software development, implying that business users – associated with the intended project must work together on the system requirements, to improve quality and responsiveness of the project outcome.
- Requirements are required:
As a developer, always be sure that your clients fully understand the requirements for their project before embarking on such projects. This would give the client the ability to adequately communicate the project requirements in a more effective way and give you, the developer a clear image of exactly what is needed.
- Modern development methodologies and practices:
It is wise to always stay updated with the rapid growth happening in the digital technology field, to aid in applying mature, modern development methodologies and practices that can help developers in delivering effective, innovative custom software in an efficient and rapid manner.
- Never compromise with Security
It is commonly believe that custom software is a bit harder to attack in comparison to off-the-shelf software. A developer should never compromise with the security of a custom software, maintaining the security and encryption that makes the custom products safer.
- Time consciousness
A good project is one done on time and within budget, however custom software is developed from scratch, and it requires endless customizations as possible, which could take months to actualize. Irrespective of this, a good developer must always be time conscious.
- Risks management skills:
There are often unforeseen risks that needs to be handled during software development such as bugs and technical glitches, a developer must always be adequately prepared and skilled in identifying the potential risks associated with each project and prepare a backup recovery plan.
- Accurate Estimates:
Ensure that you make a realistic and accurate time and delivery estimate to avoid surprises later. An experienced developer will always account a few days for unexpected occurrences.
- View Your client as a Team Member
A software developer should always view their client as a member of their team, with that you will achieve a more successful process. This means transparency should be implore as much as possible throughout the development phase.
- Prioritize Value:
Cost optimization is a business-focused discipline, in a bit to drive spending and cost reduction, a developer should never compromise value for cost. Value orientation should be a top priority in any custom software development process.
- Good ROI Custom Software is No Accident:
A successful custom software development for a developer is one with a good return on investment (ROI) but it doesn’t come on a platter of gold. A developer must be well-prepared before starting while maintaining focus on the project outcome through the development process.
If you think custom software would help your business to operate more efficiently and increase your company’s productivity and ROI in a cost-effective and timely way, reach out to PODTECH. We have extensive experience in custom software development and can help guide you through the process.